Transport

Transportation with modern AC car/minibus/bus, etc) during all tour itinerary.

Accommodation

Accommodation on standard double occupancy rooms in 3* hotels (as indicated, or similar)

Guide

English speaking guide during all tour itinerary, and local guides (as applicable)

Not included:

Insurance

Travel insurance, visa fees (if applicable).

Flights

Others

- International airfare and airport taxes - All museums and other sites entry tickets as per itinerary. - Skanderbeg Mausoleum in Lezha - Rozafa Castle in Shkodra - Skanderbeg Museum in Kruja - Amphitheater in Durres - Onufri Museum in Berat - Ardenica Monastery - Apollonia Archeological Park - Independence Museum in Vlore - Butrint - Blue Eye - Gjirokaster Castle - Elbasan Ethnographic Museum - Driver/guides tips, - Gratuities and individual daily expenses and porterage - Everything not mentioned in “Inclusions” - Trip/tour cancellation - No show

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Day 1 Arrival - Tirane
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Arrival - Tirane

Pickup from Tirana International Airport and transfer to the city. Leisure day. Overnight at Starlight 4* or similar.
Day 2 Kruje - Durres - Tirane.
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Kruje - Durres - Tirane.

After breakfast we head to Kruja, one of Albania’s most important towns due to the part it played in resistance against the Ottomans. Visit the Skanderbeg Museum and castle as well as the old bazaar. Then heading to Durres. This port city, is the most important ancient central mediterranean metropol until medieval time in the 15th century when it got occupied by ottomans until 1912 when Albania proclaimed its independence, and Durres became its capital until 1920. (Durres is also more than 3500 years old (mentioned first time in Odisea where Ulicsus spent part of his time in Taulantia (ancient Pelasgian-Illyrian name of Epidamn-Durrah-Durres) on his way back to Itaka after Troyan war. This city has the largest Roman amphitheater in the Balkan region (about 20,000 seats), dating back to the beginning of the 2nd century which we will visit with the ancient city castle wall and byzantine bazaar/forum, Roman public baths, etc. Return to Tirana for overnight. Overnight at Freddy’s Hotel 3* or similar. (B)
Day 3 Lezhe - Shkoder - Tirane.
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Lezhe - Shkoder - Tirane.

After breakfast, the, next stop will be in Lezha city. In the ancient period it was called Lissus. Visit to its castle and Mausoleum of Skanderbeg (Albanian National Hero). Afterward, we will continue to Shkodra. A nice landscape with highland (Albanian Alps on the north) is a full contrast. City tour of Shkodra, Old Bazaar, Centrum, Cathedral and Mosque. Visit the Castle of Rozafa inside it and we enjoy wonderful views of mountains, Shkodra’s lake, Drini, Buna and Kir rivers with the valleys around from the top of Rozafa castle. Return to Tirana for overnight. Overnight at Freddy’s Hotel 3* (B)
Day 4 Berat (Unesco).
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Berat (Unesco).

After breakfast we continue to Berat where we have a short visit to Belsh Lake (part of Dumrea group of carstic lakes in central Albania, also so-called little-Toscana). Then we will continue to Berat, one of the oldest inhabited regions of Albania, more than 2400 years old, and with special status from UNESCO. Visit the castle of Berat with the Onufri museum and other churches inside; the Mosque of Berat and the old Bridge of Gorica, Onufri Museum and several churches and mosques. Onufri was an Albanian master painter of the 16th. Many of his wonderfully painted icons still remain in the museum while others can be found in churches in Albania and Greece where he worked. Lunch break in Berat. Overnight at Rezidenca Desaret 4* or similar. (B)
Day 5 Ardenica Monastery - Apollonia (Unesco) - Vlore.
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Ardenica Monastery - Apollonia (Unesco) - Vlore.

Drive to Ardenica Monastery, a 13th century Byzantine site locally famed for hosting the wedding of the hero Skanderbeg. We will continue from here to the ruins of Apollonia, an atmospheric set of Roman remains on a remote hillside and once an important city in the region. Later depart to the coastal city of Vlora. Visit the city, including its old town, independence square and monument, where Albanian independence from the Ottomans was proclaimed on November 28th, 1912. Overnight Hotel Semaja 3* or similar. (B)
Day 6 Himare - Sarande - Butrint (Unesco).
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Himare - Sarande - Butrint (Unesco).

After breakfast, we continue to the south of Albania, stopping first at Llogara National Park where we enjoy spectacular views of the mountains and the Albanian Riviera. Continue via some picturesque seaside villages to Saranda and onto the ruins of Butrint, Albania’s most important archaeological site, and a UNESCO site. Butrint dates from the 7th century BC, later becoming a Roman colony, then falling under the sway of the Venetians and Turks. Explore numerous buildings including an acropolis, basilica and palace. The location of the site itself is also very attractive, surrounded by trees and water. Later return to Saranda. Overnight in Sunrays Hotel 3* or similar. (B)
Day 7 Mesopotam - Blue Eye - Gjirokaster (Unesco).
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Mesopotam - Blue Eye - Gjirokaster (Unesco).

This morning we will continue to Gjirokaster. En route we will make a stop in Mesopotam monastery, built over the ancient temple inside the fortress. Then we then travel to Blue Eye National Park before we reach the UNESCO listed town of Gjirokaster known for its distinct and traditional architecture. We have time to explore this UNESCO listed site, one of the highlights of Albania with an imposing citadel and numerous typical houses. Overnight Bineri 3* or similar. (B)
Day 8 Permet - Voskopoje - Korce.
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Permet - Voskopoje - Korce.

After breakfast, we continue to Korca via Vjosa River valley, and enjoy the spectacular views of the surrounding nature. (Even though the distance is a bit long this day, and the toad has a segment where there is work in progress, it remains a work experience). Lunch break at Sotira Farm. Then continue to Voskopoje. First we will visit Voskopoje. You will see the traditional way of life and some outstanding examples of Orthodox Christian Churches which escaped the destruction of the communist regime. The 18th century church and 16th century monastery in Voskopoja are worth visiting with their original murals and artifacts. The air in this area is renowned to be very clean and people with respiratory problems visit to convalesce. We will return to Korca. Korca is a historic place with rich cultural traditions and some interesting buildings from the Ottoman period, including one of the most important mosques in Albania. On arrival in Korca we check in to the hotel Alysa 3* and overnight. (B)
Day 9 Pogradec - Lin - Elbasan - Tirane.
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Pogradec - Lin - Elbasan - Tirane.

After breakfast we will travel to Pogradec. On the top of the hill overlooking Pogradec, there used to be an ancient Illyrian fortress known as Encheleana. In the Middle Ages this fortress was reconstructed and the place was renamed by the Bulgarians, who invaded Southeastern Albania at this time. (Pogradec, Pod Grad - the place beneath the fortress). (We will have a short break where you can enjoy walking by the Ohrid Lake). Then we will continue to Elbasan, where we will have another short stop at Lin village (oldest in Europe 8000 years) by the lake of Ohrid. Elbasan was a very important city in ancient Illyrian time, while in Roman empire time was famous as the cross-point of the main road “Via Egnatia” that used to connect Durres-Elbasan-Ohrid-Thessaloniki-Istanbul. City tour to visit: Elbasan Castle (dating back to 4rth Century BC), The Clock, The ethnographic Museum, Church, The Old Mosque. Then we will continue to Tirana. Leisure time to walk in the city. Overnight in Freddy’s Hotel 3*, or similar.
Day 10 Departure.
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Departure.

Transfer to Tirana Airport for departure. End of services. (B)

10 days tour

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Itinerary of your trip Best Of Albania Explorer 10 Days Tour - Guaranteed Departure

Arrival - Tirane

Kruje - Durres - Tirane.

Lezhe - Shkoder - Tirane.

Berat (Unesco).

Ardenica Monastery - Apollonia (Unesco) - Vlore.

Himare - Sarande - Butrint (Unesco).

Mesopotam - Blue Eye - Gjirokaster (Unesco).

Permet - Voskopoje - Korce.

Pogradec - Lin - Elbasan - Tirane.

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